Incoming freshmen — Hello!
The next two paragraphs are full of shameless self-promotion, so if you’d like to skip them, be my guest.
If you’re holding this, you’re reading The Post, Ohio University’s editorially independent, student-run newspaper.
We are a staff of about 100 students who hang out in a windowless room on Baker University Center’s third floor.
It’s everything you’re imagining right now — so don’t judge.
If you’re reading this digitally, then thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. A lot of people don’t know we have a free smartphone app (you can download it by Googling “The Post at Ohio University iTunes app”). A lot of people don’t even know we have Twitter (@ThePost) or Facebook (facebook.com/ThePostAthens). Last one — here is the URL to our website: www.thepost.ohiou.edu.
If you skipped ahead, fair enough, but we have a free smartphone app. Check out the previous paragraph if you’re into that sort of thing.
Anyhow, welcome to your freshman orientation.
It’s OK to be nervous. Quick tip: Find the tallest person you can if you want to make a quick friend. The gentle giants are always the nicest. That rule also works on people with purple hair.
If you’re a proponent of solitude, then download “In Ohio on Some Steps” by Limbeck and go take a walk.
Nobody is too cool for the Bobcat Bash or any other freshman event OU throws during your first weekend here, so go to those before you make up your mind about Mill Street. Go there eventually, but I guess my point is that you’ve got options. Everyone is in the same boat.
Go eat some pulled pork sandwiches and agree with some Homestar Runner enthusiast from Beachwood, Ohio, that free food is just “the best” in every sense of the phrase. Because it is. Keep an eye out for it.
When you wake up tomorrow and aren’t sure whether to join the O Zone, just do it. It’s the most non-regrettable $10 T-shirt purchase you can make. Wear a lanyard over it — knock yourself out. You only get to go to your first home football game at Peden Stadium once.
If football isn’t your deal, find a niche. I’m not saying that’s a process you should rush, but do your thing (whatever that is) on your own terms and at your own pace.
It’s true that the next four years will fly by, but you’re going to want to spend them here (ask any alumni), so take your time and get some work done.
Horror enthusiasts: Check out The Ridges. If you’re not a horror enthusiast, it’s really not so bad. I only cried there once.
Fitness enthusiasts: Check out the bike path. If you’re not a fitness enthusiast, it’s some really swell scenery. I only cried there once.
(There’s one last shameless plug coming up, so it’s your call if you want to skip over the next sentence.)
Journalism enthusiasts: Come work for us!
Whatever you’re into, use this issue of The Post as a guide to your first fest season, where to find a cup of coffee, where to dig up some grub, or even just where to find some peace and quiet and maybe get your study on.
Some personal favorites: Donkey is good coffee; Perk’s is cost-efficient (and good) coffee. If you dig gyros, (Dear world: sorry — I guess — for always mispronouncing that word. I know not what I do.) Ali Babas makes a bangin’ wrap. As does Souvlaki’s. Big Mama’s is a gem. It’s worth the cost of delivery to order Avalanche — it’s the best pizza in the world! (Or something like that.) Jackie O’s for some dynamite local microbrews. Also: Try the Boss Hog challenge at Kiser’s once. It’s a trip. Or don’t. It’s your choice.
And as we bring this thing full circle, so are the next few years. Just choose wisely. Keep Athens weird, and support local business. Be kind, rewind, recycle and read The Post. If you can’t read, then good on you for making it this far! Very impressive … but could you just do me a favor and at least download our smartphone app?
Did I mention it’s free?
ph835608@ohiou.edu
